Apparatus for aligning one or more motorized terminal bridges to one or more doors in a vehicle enabling the loading and unloading of passengers and freight. The apparatus includes control circuits responsive to signals from a remotely located control panel which provides drive signals used in the initial positioning of each bridge. An electro-optical device in each bridge is locked onto a reflective type material affixed to the vehicle in the vicinity of each door. Transducers mounted in various sections of the bridges determine the spatial position of the bridges with respect to the terminal after initial positioning. The transducers cooperate with the electrooptical device to produce drive signals that steer and control the speed of each bridge until pressure contacts on each bridge indicate precise alignment with each door.
A safety device for a loading bridge or walkway at which aircraft are parked for loading and unloading of passengers and cargo through an open door in the aircraft. To prevent the open door from striking the floor of the loading bridge or walkway and thus from being damaged when the position of the aircraft is lowered at fuelling and loading operations, a sensor is provided in the region of the part of the loading bridge facing the aircraft and beneath the open door. When struck by the door the sensor activates an actuator which lowers the bridge a short distance.
Disclosed is a system and method for automatically aligning an end of a passenger loading bridge with a doorway of an aircraft. A beacon is transmitted from the doorway of the aircraft. The location is sensed and from the sensed beacon a direction for moving of the end of the passenger loading bridge is determined. The passenger loading bridge is then moved according to the determined direction. The process is iterated until the docking of the bridge to the aircraft is completed.
Disclosure is a system and method for automatically aligning an end of a passenger loading bridge with a doorway of an aircraft. A beacon is transmitted from the doorway of the aircraft. The beacon is sensed and from the sensed beacon a direction for moving of the end of the passenger loading bridge is determined. The passenger loading bridge is then moved according to the determined direction. The process is iterated until the docking of the bridge to the aircraft is completed.
5257431 - Airplane loading bridge - Owned by Bridgetech, Inc. (Brentwood, NY) [*] Notice:The portion of the term of this patent subsequent to April 21, 2009 has been disclaimed.
An array of non-contact proximity sensors are mounted adjacent the front bumper of the loading bridge to be in opposition to the airplane. The proximity sensors are interconnected to circuitry, and the approach speed of the gangway to the airplane is reduced automatically as it nears the airplane. The sensors and circuitry sense angular misalignment of the gangway with the airplane and selectively and automatically control its position relative to the airplane.
An array of non-contact proximity sensors are mounted on the front bumper of the loading bridge to be in opposition to the airplane. The proximity sensors are interconnected to circuitry, and the approach speed of the gangway to the airplane is reduced automatically as it nears the airplane. The sensors and circuitry sense angular misalignment of the gangway with the airplane and selectively and automatically control its position relative to the airplane.
